Many people may not know this, but buying a commercial garage door is very different from buying one for a home. You as a business owner who is considering a commercial garage door, need to consider several things. Since the garage door will cater to high-traffic bays, quality and longevity should be on the top of your list. While commercial garage doors are a hair more durable than residential ones, they will still go through wear and tear.

If you are in the market for a commercial garage door for your business, then this article will help you make the right decision. So, let’s dive into what to consider when buying a commercial garage door.

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How Often is the Garage Door to be Used?

Start by addressing the elephant in the room, i.e., traffic. Will it receive a lot of traffic or just one truck a day? If it is a high traffic area, then consider sectional commercial garage doors. Steel sectional doors are some of the most robust available today and because of that, they require less maintenance. Plus, most of the latest doors are highly energy efficient which will help you reduce heating and cooling costs while being able to withstand challenging weather conditions.

You will also want to consider high-speed doors, which too are weather resistant and durable. Lower traffic facilities can make do with aluminum doors. Even though aluminum is less durable compared to steel, their lightweight construction and strength make them okay for low traffic areas. Also, aluminum wins in the aesthetics department.

Fireproofing Should Also Be a Consideration

If your business deals with heavy machinery, hazardous, open flame, or some type of flammable material, then you almost certainly require strong fire protection. A fireproof commercial garage door can help you meet the building’s fire code and help prevent fires.

Even for businesses like care facilities, hospitals, and schools, a fireproof commercial garage door will add a layer of protection. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that fireproof garage doors have much lower insulation or R rating. So, they aren’t suitable if you care about maintaining a constant temperature.  

Do You Actually Need an Insulated Garage Door?

The R-value of a commercial garage door mainly denotes the amount of insulation provided. If a constant temperature needs to be maintained in the building, you will want a garage door with a high R-rating. The higher the R-value the better.

Materials like steel are naturally better insulators compared to other materials. However, commercial garage doors can also get an added layer of insulation to meet your business’s needs.

 Conclusion

As you can see, the considerations for buying a commercial garage door are vastly different from buying a domestic door. The important thing to keep in mind is that you should know exactly what is needed and then shop for it accordingly.